‘English teachers can help Maths, Science teachers enhance English proficiency’

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Amin (third right) launches the programme, accompanied by Azhar on his right and others. — Photo by Chimon Upon

KUCHING: Mathematics and Science teachers involved in the Dual Language Programme (DLP) could learn from their English teaching colleagues to enhance their competency, suggested Education director-general Datuk Dr Amin Senin.

He recommended a mentor-mentee pairing of English teachers with their Mathematics or Science counterparts, pointing out that personal coaching is more effective than just attending courses.

“It is better than sending them to a course every week, as that would be impossible and involves spending a lot of money.

“Instead they can make use of the technology available now, where it is easy for them to communicate and learn through phone or the Internet for few hours a week any time anywhere. That way the English competency of teachers can be upgraded and enhanced,” he opined before launching DLP in Sarawak for 2020 at a leading hotel here Monday.

Amin highlighted the importance of sustainability for the programme to fully benefit students.

“It is easy to launch a certain programme, or to come up with a policy but the biggest challenge is to sustain it. Not every programme or policy can be sustained for the long term.

“The success of DLP depends very much on how committed and competent the principals and teachers at the school level are. Implementation must be continuous.

“The fact that the programme will start from Year One is a wise decision,” he said of DLP, which will give opportunity to students to master English usage through Mathematics and Science subjects starting next year.

Amin commended the state government for taking on the challenge in implementing the teaching of Mathematics and Science in English, adding that DLP in Sarawak will be a model to other states that are looking to implement the programme in the future.

The programme will involve 1,048 primary schools in the state.

Earlier, State Education director Dr Azhar Ahmad informed that the programme will start from Year One and will continue until the students complete Form 5.

“All teachers involved have undergone training from September to October this year using modules prepared by Teachers Education Institute of Malaysia and English Language Teaching Centre (ELTC). The training had involved 2,435 teachers and facilitators.

“The teachers were also given additional training through online exercises for 40 hours,” he said, adding that more support materials will be provided to ensure the programme’s success.